BATMAN #705

Part Two of ‘Eye of the Beholder’, sees the Sensei return from the dead, and commence his attack against both Batman and Peacock upon a rooftop, after the abduction of Peacock’s brother, Luki. During this battle, Sensei explains to Batman the nature of his return, as well as implying Luki’s fate if he is deterred from his own dubious endeavour. This is highlighted more so when the Sensei gasses Peacock, thus prompting Batman to save her and then chase after the limousine which has accosted Luki .Unfortunately – after a swing through the night – some assistance from Alfred – and a horseback ride across Chinatown, the limousine manages to get away, only for I-Ching to appear and then tell Batman what Peacock won’t. It seems that many years ago there was a mask called ‘the Beholder’, a powerful mask that got into the hands of a young architect and the ‘Jade Compass Society’, whom hid it within a building in GothamCity. Sensei wants ‘the Beholder’, and is using Luki to show him where it is telepathically. Another thing which Luki inadvertently helps out with is when Peacock shows Batman some of the drawings he drew through premonitions – one of them being an old building in Chinatown which has recently been demolished. But when Batman, I-Ching, and Peacock, venture to this location, in search for either Luki or the Beholder, nothing seems to be apparent. During this time, Batman is ushered away from this adventure when Gordon calls him to inform him that Lucius Fox is in trouble. Thoe when Batman hastily goes off to investigate, by chance, he’s overpowered by the Riddler, and his daughter... Enigma.

THE REVIEW:

Tony Daniel really pin-points Dick’s Batman in this oriental adventurer, defining him as a somewhat lower-key Batman compared to Bruce’s. He reflects this in the way in which the other characters act towards him, as well as the way in which Dick presents himself verbally. Dick is no Dark Knight by any means, but rather a Bold Knight with adventurous tendencies. I like this about Dick, as it really makes Dick more of his own man, and not a pale imitation of who people think that he should be. Another thing which is great about Dick is Tony’s artwork, as he is able to really stamp his own style on this book, which is somewhat reminiscent of Neil Adam’s depiction from the past whilst making it more ‘gritty’ at the same time. I find that Tony doesn’t try to imitate the other Bat-writers either (like Grant Morrison or Paul Dini), as he genuinely seems to be carving his own path and mythos in Bat-lore, making it somewhat unique compared to the other Bat-titles. Granted, this is neither a positive or negative statement, it just shows that this character can be depicted adventurously without him appearing too ‘Bruce-Like’. Great issue – nice artwork – adventurous tale.